Defenders Re-Cycle in Richmond

A press release from the McHenry County Environmental Defenders: Congratulations Richmond for a Very Successful Recycling Drive WOODSTOCK – Richmond-Burton NHS high school students came out to Richmond city hall on Saturday, September 10th, to donate their time and power to … Continue reading

Life Chains Sunday in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Richmond, Wonder Lake

Information about Sunday’s Life Chains in McHenry County from McHenry County Right to Life: Life Chain is a national, peaceful, and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing for one hour along our roadways, praying for our nation and for … Continue reading

Saturday Keystone Road Accident Sends 16-Year Old Girl to Advocate Condell Hospital

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department: Sheriff’s Office Investigates Serious Injury Crash Involving a Juvenile A 16-year-old female juvenile was flown to Condell Hospital following a traffic crash involving a tractor-trailer and passenger car in unincorporated Richmond Township. Preliminary … Continue reading

Mayors Endorsing Jack Franks

Just thought you’d like to know the mayors and village presidents who have endorsed Jack Franks as of 7-12-16: City of Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan City of McHenry Mayor Susan Low City of Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager Village of Algonquin … Continue reading

Tax Takes for Cities and Villages

Below is what cities and villages in McHenry County did to property taxpayers last year and what can be expected this year: City or village INCR / DECR INCR / DECR 2015 – 2014 2014 – 2013 IN TOTAL TAX … Continue reading

Effective Tax Rates in McHenry County

The only way to compare property tax burdens is to divide one’s property tax bill by the value of one’s home. That’s what the Chicago Tribune did in November of 2015. The effective tax rates found for McHenry County towns … Continue reading

Dirty Hebron Cop Gets Four Years

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office: FORMER HEBRON POLICE OFFICER RYSZARD KOPACZ SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED POSSESSION OF STOLEN FIREARMS AND OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Ryszard Kopacz, 32, of … Continue reading

Teacher Salary Spikes

The Chicago Tribune’s Education superb Reporter Diane Rado has examined the cost to local taxpayers of school boards that increased teachers’ salaries more than allowed by law just before they retired.  Her main article can be found here. Reported in … Continue reading

Comparing City & Village Tax Takes

Yesterday, we took a look at what school districts requested to be collected last year and this year. Today we’ll look at municipalities. A number of McHenry County municipalities overlap into adjacent counties. If you see “McH only,” that is … Continue reading

Taxes for Schools, This Year & Last Year

Since schools comprise the bulk of property tax dollars, I thought some might be interested in seeing how they changed from last year to this year. Although the percentage change column is labeled “% Change + of -” the first … Continue reading

Connecting the Population Decline Dots

Its too early to suggest that the photo here represents the future of McHenry County, but with population being down in McHenry County since 2010, while being up in all the other Chicago-area counties, it could be that the County … Continue reading

Wisconsin Sex Offender Found Unregistered in Richmond

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department: Richmond Resident Arrested for Failure to Register as Sex Offender On February 27, 2015, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force arrested Kevin D. Kellison of … Continue reading

Income Tax Revenue Sharing Loss Would Cost McHenry County Governments $16.9 Million

The McHenry County Council of Governments (McCOG) has calculated how much money each village and city in the county would lose in state subsides should Governor Bruce Rauner’s budget recommendations be enacted. The Govenror suggests cutting the subsidy in half. … Continue reading

Candidates for McHenry County Cities and Villages

I’ve finally pinned down all who are running for municipal office in cities and villages having all or part of their boundaries within McHenry County. The names have been listed in ballot order.  That makes little difference unless there are … Continue reading

Filings for Municipal Office

Here’s my best effort to find out who filed for village and city offices in McHenry County’s thirty municipalities. Most who didn’t file last week probably waited until late Monday afternoon. Why? Best place on the ballot is first.  With … Continue reading